Are milia a cause
for concern?

Milia are small white bumps that appear on the skin. They’re usually grouped together on the nose, cheeks, and chin, though they may appear elsewhere. They develop when skin flakes become trapped under the surface of the skin, according to the , or when keratin builds up and gets trapped.

Milia occur most often in newborn babies. In fact, 40 to 50 percent of newborn babies have milia on their skin within a month of being born, according to one . But milia can also affect children, adolescents, and adults.

Milia resolve on their own without treatment. However, there are a few things you can do to help speed up the healing process and prevent more milia from forming. Keep reading below to learn more.

1.
Don’t pick, poke, or try to remove them

If milia on your face or your child’s face are irritating you, don’t pick at the affected area. Trying to remove milia can cause the bumps to bleed, scab, and scar. Scraping the skin can also introduce germs to the area. This can cause infection.

In the case of babies under 6 months old, the best thing to do for milia is to leave the bumps alone. If the bumps are concerning you, see your child’s pediatrician.

5.
Apply a Manuka honey mask

Manuka honey is an that can help reduce inflammation. Both bacteria and inflammation lead to skin irritation, so a Manuka honey mask may help soothe your milia.

Manuka honey can be found at most supermarkets and health food stores, as well as . It contains properties that ordinary commercial honey doesn’t have.

One showed that honey mixed with cinnamon bark extract was especially effective in combating bacteria that cause acne. Milia aren’t usually caused by bacteria, but a honey mask with cinnamon extract might still improve the look of your skin.

To apply a Manuka honey mask:

Mix together 3 or 4 tbsp. of Manuka honey with about 1 tbsp. of cinnamon.

8.
Use a retinoid cream

Some recommend topical retinoid creams to get rid of milia. contain vitamin A. This vitamin is essential to the health of your skin.

Use any product that contains retinol just once per day. Put it on when your face is scrubbed clean and dry. When using a retinoid cream, it’s essential to use a sunscreen daily. Retinoid creams make your skin more susceptible to skin damage caused by sun exposure.

9.
Opt for a light facial sunscreen

You should already be wearing a sunscreen every day to protect the skin on your face from ultraviolet rays. An additional benefit of the right sunscreen can be a decrease in skin irritation that causes milia bumps.

Look for a . Make sure the sun protection factor (SPF) is 30 or higher. If you’re very fair, consider using a product with an SPF of 100.

The most skin-friendly sunscreens will have mineral oil as their base as opposed to other oils that may clog the skin. Read the ingredients of your sunscreen carefully to make sure it doesn’t contain anything you’re allergic or sensitive to.